Wooden shoe rack construction

ABSTRACT

A wooden shoe rack constructed either as a unit hung on a door or as a self-standing unit. Frame sides connect with support arms at special dado joints. Shoe support bars extend between the joints on the opposite sides of the frame to support shoes. A single mechanical fastener is used at each joint to connect the frame sides, arms and shoe bars together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/223,905, filed Aug. 20, 2002, entitled “Wooden Shoe RackConstruction”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to shoe racks used for the storage ofshoes and more particularly to wooden shoe racks having special jointsbetween the different components which are constructed to facilitateassembly by consumers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of shoe racks have been developed in order to accommodatethe organized storage of shoes. The shoe racks that have been usedinclude both self-standing units that are supported on the floor andhanging units that hang on doors or other vertical surfaces. Typically,shoe racks of this type are provided with multiple tiers in order toenhance the storage capacity.

Various materials have been used to construct shoe racks, and plastichas been especially popular. Plastic has advantages in several respects,most notably because it is light in weight, inexpensive and easy tohandle and package. Wood has the advantage of being generally moreaesthetically appealing and is generally considered to be more upscalethan plastic.

However, wooden shoe racks are problematic in several respects. First ofall, this type of shoe rack is typically a consumer product that is soldmainly in retail stores. Therefore, the shoe rack must be packaged in adisassembled state with the packaged product being as compact aspossible. Long pieces of framework and the like are precluded due to theneed for compact packaging. Further, the parts must be easily assembledby average consumers. Complicated joints between the different parts arethus unacceptable, as are glue joints and any type of complex fasteningsystem. At the same time, the joints between the parts must be fastenedsecurely in order to adequately hold the unit together, particularlywhen it is subjected to forces such as those that occur on a doormounted unit when the door is swung open or closed. For economicreasons, the number of different parts should be minimized so that thetooling used for construction of the parts can be as inexpensive aspossible.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has, as its principal goal, the provision of ashoe rack that is constructed of wood and equipped with specially formedjoints which allow for quick and simple assembly of the different parts.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a woodenshoe rack having special joints between the parts that allow a singlefastener to connect the frame sides, support arms and cross bars at eachjoint in a single fastening operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe rack of thecharacter described wherein the joints do not detract from theaesthetics of the unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe rack of thecharacter described in which the parts can be quickly and easilyassembled without the need for special tools or mechanical skills.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a shoe rack of thecharacter described which has a secure yet easily applied fasteningsystem.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shoe rack of thecharacter described in which the number of different components isminimized.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shoe rack of thecharacter described which can be constructed either as a self-standingunit or as a hanging unit that can be applied to a door or othervertical surface.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a shoe rack of thecharacter described that is constructed in a manner allowing it to bepackaged compactly without unduly long pieces.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing awooden shoe rack having frame sides, support arms and cross bars, all ofwhich may be constructed of wood. The frame sides have dado grooves forreceiving tongues of the support arms at joints to which the ends of thebars are also connected. A single mechanical fastener such as a screw isused at each joint to connect the frame, arm and bar together.

In the case of a hanging shoe rack, each frame side can include upperand lower legs connected end to end at a special joint. The support armwhich is fastened at this joint includes an inner end portion that actsagainst the door or other surface to provide a standoff spacing theframe away from the door. Special upper and lower arms provideadditional standoffs at the top and bottom ends of the frame. Spacingthe frame away from the door has advantages in several respects,including helping to maintain the shoes on the rack, providing clearanceof the doorknob, and preventing the shoes from marring the door surface.

In the case of a self-standing shoe rack, each frame side includes apair of legs that are connected at the bottom by a foot piece and at thetop by a rigid brace. Special dado joints are located at each connectionbetween the legs and the feet and braces, with cross bars also connectedat these joints by a single fastener.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification andare to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like referencenumerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanging wooden shoe rack constructedaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale of thedetail identified by numeral 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale of thedetail identified by numeral 3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the detail shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the detail shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hanging shoe rack shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a self-standing wooden shoe rackconstructed according to another embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the shoe rack shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially to FIG. 1,numeral 10 generally designates a wooden shoe rack constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The shoe rack10 is constructed in a manner allowing it to be hung on the top edge ofa door, indicated fragmentarily at 12 in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the shoerack 10 can be hung on a wall or other vertical surface.

The shoe rack 10 has a frame that includes opposite frame sides 14 thatare constructed identically. The sides 14 are spaced apart and parallelto one another when the shoe rack 10 is assembled. Each side 14 includesan upper leg 16 and a lower leg 18, with the upper leg 16 on each sidelocated above and connected end to end with the lower leg 18 on the sameside. The legs 16 and 18 are preferably constructed of wood, althoughother materials can be used. As best shown in FIG. 6, each upper leg 16is provided at its top end with a recess or groove 20 and at its lowerend with another recess or groove 22. Each lower leg 18 is similarlyprovided with a groove 24 at its upper end and another groove 26 at itslower end. Each of the legs 16 and 18 is provided with a plurality ofintermediate grooves 28. The grooves 28 are spaced apart substantiallyequidistantly from one another and from the upper and lower grooves ofthe legs 16 and 18. Each of the legs 16 and 18 may have an identicalconstruction.

The shoe rack 10 includes a plurality of support arms, including anupper support arm 30 for each of the frame sides 14. As best shown inFIG. 5, each of the upper support arms 30 is provided at an intermediatelocation with a recess 32 to form a reduced thickness tongue 34 adjacentto the recess 32. The width of the tongue 34 is the same as the depth ofthe groove 20 so that the tongue 34 can be closely received in thegroove 20 without presenting a jog or other abrupt dimensional change atthe area of the joint 36 (see FIG. 2) between the leg 16 and the uppersupport arm 30.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 in particular, each of the upper supportarms 30 includes an outer end portion 38 which projects outwardly fromthe tongue 34 and terminates in a rounded free end 40. The shoe rack 10includes a plurality of cross bars 42 which serve as shoe bars forreceiving shoes applied to the shoe rack. The bars 42 preferably takethe form of metal tubes, although wood, plastic and other materials canbe used. One of the bars 42 is connected at one end with the outer endportion 38 of each upper support arm 30 adjacent to the rounded end 40.A mechanical fastener such as a screw 44 may be applied through anopening 46 (see FIG. 5) formed in the outer end of each arm 30 andthreaded into the adjacent end of the bar 42 in order to secure the barto the support arm. Another fastener such as a wood screw 48 may bethreaded from the inside through the upper end portion of each leg 16and into the tongue 34 in order to secure the upper support arm 30 toeach frame side 14 at the joint 36.

Each support arm 30 has an inner end portion 50 that extends inwardlyfrom the tongue 34. A hanger bracket 52 is secured to the end of eachinner end portion 50. Each bracket 52 has an L-shaped body 54 to fitover the upper edge of the door 12. A downturn flange 56 is alsoprovided on the body 54 to fit against the door surface in order tostabilize the suspension of the shoe rack 10 on the door 12. Eachbracket 52 has a projecting flange 58 that fits against the underside ofthe inner end portion 50 of each support arm 30. A fastener such as ascrew 60 may be extended upwardly through the flange 58 and threadedinto the underside of the support arm 30 in order to secure the bracket52 to the end of the support arm. When the shoe rack 10 is applied tothe door 12, the projecting inner end portions 50 of the upper supportarms 30 serve as standoffs to space the frame sides 16 away from thesurface of the door 12.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular, the shoe rack 10 has apair of specially constructed center support arms 62 which are connectedat special joints 64 (FIG. 3) located where the upper and lower arms 16and 18 are connected with one another on each of the frame sides. Asshown in FIG. 4, each support arm 62 is recessed at an intermediatelocation on both of its sides in order to provide a tongue 66 which fitsin the grooves 22 and 24 when the shoe rack is assembled. A mechanicalfastener such as a wood screw 68 is applied through the lower end ofeach upper leg 16, through the tongue 66, through the upper end of eachlower leg 18 and into the end of one of the cross bars 42 in order tosecure the upper and lower legs 16 and 18 to one another and to securethe support arm 62 to the frame side, as well as to secure the cross bar42 in extension between the opposite frame sides 14. All of thesecomponents are connected together at each of the joints 64 through theuse of a single fastener 68 and a single fastening operation.

Each of the arms 62 has an outer end portion 70 which extends outwardlyfrom the tongue 66 and terminates in a rounded outer end 72. A fastenersuch as a screw 74 is extended through the outer end portion of each arm62 and threaded into the end of one of the bars 42 in order to securethe bar in extension across the shoe rack between the two arms 62adjacent to their outer ends.

Each of the arms 62 has an inner end portion 76 which extends inwardlyfrom the tongue 66. Similarly to the end portions 50 of the uppersupport arms 30, the inner end portions 76 of arms 62 serve as standoffsto space the frame sides 14 outwardly from the surface of the door 12.

With particular reference to FIG. 6, a pair of lower support arms 76 areincluded in the shoe rack, one for each side of the unit. Each of thearms 76 is provided at its outer end with a tongue 78 that fits closelyin the groove 26 on the lower end of each lower leg 18. A fastener suchas a wood screw 80 is inserted through the lower end of each leg 18,through the tongue 78 of the adjacent arm 76 and into the end of one ofthe cross bars 42, thereby securing the lower arms 76 to the frame sideand securing the lower cross bar 42 in extension between the oppositeframe sides. This connection is made with a single fastener 80 such as ascrew applied at a joint 82 (see FIG. 1) formed at the bottom of eachside 14. The lower arms 76 project inwardly from each frame side 14 toserve as standoffs spacing the frame sides outwardly from the door 12 inthe same manner described in connection with arms 30 and 62.

In addition to the pairs of upper arms 30, center arms 62 and lower arms76, the shoe rack includes a plurality of support arms 84 which areidentical to one another. As best shown in FIG. 6, each support arm 84has on its inner end a tongue 86 that may be fitted closely in acorresponding groove 28. A single fastener such as a screw 88 is used toconnect each of the arms 84 with the frame sides 14 at joints formedbetween the arms 84 and the upper and lower legs 16 and 18 of the framesides. Each of the fasteners 88 is also threaded into the end of a crossbar 42, thereby securing the bar 42 in extension between the oppositesides of the frame. In this manner, a single fastener 88 secures eacharm 84 to the frame and also secures the bar 42 to the frame.

Each arm 84 extends outwardly from the frame side 14 and has a freeouter end that receives a fastener such as a wood screw 90 used tosecure additional bars 42 in extension between outer ends of the arms84.

Each of the support arms inclines downwardly as it extends outwardlyfrom the frame side 14. The cross bars 42 extending between the outerends of the arms are horizontal and are at an elevation slightly abovethe corresponding bar 42 that extends between the frame sides 14 at thelocation of the joints at which the next lower pair of arms areconnected. Shoes (not shown) can be mounted on the pairs of bars 42,with the outer end of each shoe elevated above the inner end of the shoeso that the shoe cannot fall outwardly off of the shoe rack due to itsinclined orientation which maintains the inner end of the shoe againstthe door 12. Further, the shoes are blocked both by the support arms andby the frame sides 14 from sliding sidewardly off of the shoe rack 10,as could otherwise occur due to the forces applied when the door 12 isswung open or closed.

It is noted that the upper arms 30 have only a single bar 42 associatedwith them, and it extends between their outer ends. This bar and the bar42 that extends between the frame sides 14 at the location of jointsbetween the uppermost arms 84 provide for the support of the upper tierof shoes. The lower arms 76 are associated with only the lowermost bar42 which extends between the frame sides 14. This bar 42 and the bar 42extending between the outer ends of the lowermost pair of arms 84provides for storage of the lower tier of shoes on the rack 10.

By virtue of the joint construction of the shoe rack 10, a singlefastener is provided at each joint between each pair of support arms andthe frame sides. The same fastener is used for connection of the bars42. Additionally, the central joint 64 between the upper and lower legsconnects the upper and lower legs together as well as connecting the arm62 and the associated bar 42.

The frame sides 14 and the support arms 30, 62, 76 and 84 are preferablyconstructed of wood, although other suitable materials can be used. Theframe legs 16 and 18 are all identical to each other, as are the bars42, so there are only six different pieces in the shoe rack. Thisfacilitates its manufacture and minimizes the cost.

The hanging shoe rack 10 has been described as including pairs of upperlegs 16 and lower legs 18. However, a lesser or greater number of legscan be provided on each frame side 14 and can be connected in the mannerdescribed for the shoe rack 10. The legs 16 and 18 (as well asadditional legs if provided) can be connected together to form arelatively lengthy frame side 14 but can be disassembled to a relativelyshort length so that the carton or other package in which the shoe rackcomponents are packaged is not unduly long.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a shoe rack 110 which is constructed accordingto another embodiment of the present invention. Rather than being ahanging shoe rack, the shoe rack 110 is a self-standing unit that restson a horizontal surface such as a floor.

The shoe rack 110 includes opposite frame sides generally designated bynumeral 14 and each including a pair of legs 115. The legs 115 are allconstructed identically to one another, and the legs on each frame side114 extend vertically and parallel to one another when the shoe rack 110is assembled. As shown in FIG. 8, each leg 115 is provided at its topend with a groove 120 and at its lower end with a groove 122.

A lower support arm for each side 114 is provided by an arcuate basepiece or foot 125. Each of the feet 125 is provided with a pair ofcutouts that form tongues 127 having a size and shape to fit closely inthe lower grooves 122. The feet 125 have rounded end portions 129 thatrest on the floor or other supporting surface for support of the shoerack 110 thereon.

The shoe rack 110 has a plurality of cross bars 142 on which shoes maybe received and stored. The bars 142 may take the form of metal tubes,although the can be constructed of another material. At each of thejoints in which one of the tongues 127 fits closely in one of thegrooves 122, a single fastener such as a screw 143 serves to fasten thefoot 125 to the leg 115 and is also threaded into the end of one of thebars 142 in order to secure the bar to the foot and the leg. In thismanner, the lower bars 142 are secured to extend between opposite sidesof the frame between the opposing feet 125.

The shoe rack 110 also includes an upper support arm for each frame sidethat may take the form of an arcuate brace 155. Each of the braces 155is provided on its opposite ends with tongues 157 that fit closely inthe upper grooves 120 of legs 115. At each joint at which one of thetongues 157 fits in one of the grooves 120, a single fastener such as awood screw 161 is used to secure the brace 155 to the leg 115 and isalso threaded into the end of one of the bars 142 to secure the bar tothe frame side 114 and the brace 155. The bars 142 that are secured inthis manner to the braces 155 receive and store the upper tier of shoesapplied to the shoe rack 110. The two upper bars 142 are parallel to oneanother and preferably at the same elevation so that the shoes arereceived on them in a level orientation.

Between the lower pair of bars and the upper pair of bars, additionaltiers of bars 142 are included in the shoe rack. These intermediate bars142 may be secured in extension between the legs 115 by fasteners suchas wood screws 165 extended through the frame legs 115 and into the endsof the intermediate bars 142. The intermediate bars 142 are arranged inpairs which are parallel to and level with one another to provideintermediate tiers for storing shoes.

As with the shoe rack 10, the shoe rack 110 provides joints between theparts that are secured with a single fastener at each joint, thusavoiding glue joints and other complicated joint constructions.Furthermore, as with the shoe rack 10, the shoe rack 110 can be easilyassembled and, when disassembled, can be compactly packaged in arelatively small carton, box or other container.

The legs 115, feet 125 and braces 155 may all be constructed of wood,although other materials may be used. The legs, braces, feet and barsare all identical, so only four different parts are required, thusminimizing the manufacturing costs and difficulties.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth togetherwith the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent tothe structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

1. A shoe rack comprising: a pair of spaced apart frame sides eachhaving a plurality of grooves; a plurality of support arms each having atongue received closely in one of said grooves to provide joints betweensaid frame sides and arms; a plurality of cross bars arranged in pairsto receive and support shoes thereon, at least some of said barsextending between said frame sides at said joints; and a fastener for atleast some of said joints applied in a manner to fasten said frame sidesand arms together and to fasten said bars to said frame sides and arms.2. A shoe rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shoe rack is aself-standing unit and said frame sides and support arms are constructedof wood.
 3. A shoe rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein: each of saidframe sides includes a pair of substantially vertical legs each havingan upper end portion and a lower end portion; said grooves are locatedin said upper and lower end portions of said legs; and said support armsinclude a foot for each frame side, said feet being connected by saidfasteners to extend between said lower end portions of said legs andresting on a substantially horizontal support surface.
 4. A shoe rack asset forth in claim 3, wherein said support arms include a brace for eachframe side extending between said upper end portions of said legs andfastened thereto by said fasteners.
 5. A self-standing shoe rackcomprising: a pair of opposite sides each including a pair ofsubstantially vertical legs spaced apart from one another, each leghaving an upper end portion and a lower end portion; a groove in theupper and lower end portion of each leg; a foot for each side forapplication to a support surface on which said shoe rack stands, saidfeet having tongues fitting closely in said grooves in the lower endportions of said legs on the respective sides to form joints between thelegs and feet; a brace for each side, said braces having tongues fittingclosely in said grooves in the upper end portions of said legs on therespective sides to form joints between the legs and braces; a pluralityof crossbars for supporting shoes thereon and extending between saidjoints on the opposite sides; and a fastener for each joint, saidfasteners being applied to connect said feet and braces to said legs andto connect said bars to said legs with a single fastener at each joint.6. A shoe rack as set forth in claim 5, wherein said legs, said feet andsaid braces are constructed of wood.